Gino Galliato looked at his gold diamond watch as he stepped up to the front door of Jazzlands Bar and Grill, "Perfect timing old boy," he murmured.
With a push he opened the glass door and looked over the crowd of diners eating and talking. It was his and Marilyn's 2 month engagement anniversary today, he still couldn't believe that she had said yes in the first place. He was the luckiest man alive!
Jazzlands just his beautiful Marilyn's style. He knew exactly where to find her, she would be in the very back corner at her favorite table, where she always sat.
Grinning he thought it might as well have permanently been reserved for her. Come to think of it, it more than likely it was, if not he would see that it was. After all what good was owning a fancy little establishment like this if you couldn't reserve a table here and there for your best girl.
As Gino walked, snaking through the maze of tables he strained to get a glimpse of her, imagining what outfit she might be wearing. He hoped it would be the gorgeous little halter neck dress she had worn for their engagement. As he ducked and weaved he almost collected a waiter carrying a tray of seared steaks.
"Hey watch where you're going you little punk!"
The young waiter, who had been there long enough to know who Gino was, apologized pathetically before scurrying off to deliver the plates of food he was carrying to waiting customers.
Gino, finally with Marilyn firmly in his sights had no interest in pursuing the young waiter's job, instead he rushed towards Marilyn.
She had her back to him, and she was wearing the dress! She always sat with her back to the restaurant, because she hated watching people watch her eat - another of her cute quirky little traits he loved. As he reached the table he leant down smelling her mysterious exotic perfume that excited him.
"Let's get married today, why wait, we could elope....anywhere you want..." he whispered in her ear.
Angie turned to look at him.
"My that sounds divine," she said and smiled seeing the utter shock on his face as he realized it wasn't Marilyn.
"What, who the flipping hell are you, where is my fiancé? cried Gino taking a few steps back and almost stumbling over a chair in the process.
"Well you must be Gino; wow I have heard so much about you, please sit for a minute," said Angie extending her hand.
Gino edged around the table, not taking his eyes off of the woman, he was curious but still feeling a little bit embarrassed after whispering sweet nothings in a complete stranger's ear.
"I'm Angie, Marilyn and I go way back, and she invited me here today too."
"Well where the hell is she - it's supposed to be our Anniversary lunch?"
"Well Mr. Galliato you couldn't have asked a timelier question."
"Stop talking in circles, spit it out, where is my Marilyn, she told me to meet her here."
"I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your sweet little Marilyn is about a hundred miles in the other direction of here honey!"
"What the hell are you on about?"
"Well it's like this, Marilyn called me here to meet her about an hour ago, she had this big plan to have me here instead of her when you come to meet her." Angie sighed and smoothed down the dress Marilyn had given her, "I was supposed to string you along for a bit, you know, keep you busy."
"I'm still not following; you better come up with something better than that!"
Groaning Angie said under her breath "Marilyn was right about him being about as dumb as a box full of hammers."
"I don't know how else to say this...she tricked you, stole your money and took off she is gone Gino."
"Gone, no she isn't we have a party to go to tonight," Gino paused and smiled wagging his finger at Angie, "oh I see, very funny, you're are having me on, what are you jealous or something, what are you playing at girl!"
"I'm deadly serious; your pretty little Marilyn just played you like a chump."
"I don't believe you, where would she go anyway!"
"Well another timely question, I think you may be getting the hang of this... I found something in her little overnight bag she was carrying," she handed him a small newspaper clipping that had been circled in red ink."
He looked at it for a while, then throwing it on the table and scratching his head he growled, "Albany? Western Australia? Why are you telling me this, isn't she supposed to be your friend, what's your deal then?"
"Well let's just say I have a little score to settle with Marilyn, so I guess you and I both have more in common than you think!"
"So what do you want out of this, hey, money?"
"No, if I wanted money I would have just gone along with Marilyn's plan, it's nothing much actually, if I'm right, which I know I am all I want is to be there with you when you catch up with her, I just want to watch her squirm a little, that's all"
Gino stood up and pushed his chair back into place as he said, "Well what do you say we go back to my place and see if you are right."
"Perfect," purred Angie, "I'm going to enjoy every second of this."
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Well with friends like Angie who needs enemies huh.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, if you did - don't forget to like and comment.